CLICK gallery to enlarge and view at your own pace / PHOTOS by Amy Mortimer, Program cover by Zoe Shank

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The May 24 Bluffton High School commencement was a smorgasbord of emotions, entertainment, philosophy and festivity. Depending on your role–as a graduate, parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, teacher or mentor–the program brought tears, laughter and introspection.

With doors opening an hour ahead, the Bluffton High School gym was full to the rafters. Waiting family and friends were treated to a slide and video show featuring the class of 2025.

The ceremonies were livestreamed and can be viewed on YouTube HERE.

The Class of 2025 wore Pirate red caps and gowns. The accessory of choice was footwear, which ranged from high tops to high heels. The 93 graduates and their future plans are listed in the program, below.

Valedictorian Quinn Eachus spoke words of welcome and led the audience in prayer. With a wink, Eachus said a collective “sorry” for the Class of 2025 to the all school staff–just in case it was needed. In earnest, he thanked “family, teachers, coaches, teammates, cafeteria workers, janitors, principals and other faculty members for making our high school days enjoyable.”

Superintendent Greg Denecker introduced Apollo principal Nick Sammetinger and recognized students who attended the career center. He also thanked staff members who are retiring: Kevin O’Rear (7 years), Chris Lowry (17), Rob McGow (27), Jody Parker (28), Sandy Karhoff (31).

Bluffton High School celebrated nine valedictorians, an honor awarded to students with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and one salutatorian. Other special designations were Ohio Academic Honors and Diploma with Honors.

Valedictorian Emma (MacKay) Tuttle reflected on letters written as eighth graders to be opened in 2025, saying hers was “the most awkward letter of her life.” But Tuttle concluded that embarrassment actually marked many important growth experiences. She commended her classmates on transforming from fourth graders who had shouting matches on the playground to becoming a class that roots for one another: “If we can survive all those years, work through our differences and still come out cheering each other on, we are ready for what comes next.”

Valedictorian Carter Hohenbrink enumerated some of the challenges faced by the Class of 2025, such as Mr. Boblitt’s time-out chair and having the patience to watch Mrs. Diller learn how to use her smart board. The message that he most wanted his classmates to remember was the importance of marching to the beat of your own drum: “Keep doing what you love, ignore the noise, and march to your own rhythm as we always have.”

High School Principal Mike Minnig read out the names of the graduates who crossed the stage to receive their diplomas from Bluffton School Board members Roni Kaufman and Alice Basinger.

Festivities concluded with the swish of mortarboard tassels from right to left, the boom of confetti cannons and a procession of graduates.